Advancing Neuropsychiatric Care through Genetic and Molecular Insights

Neuropsychiatric diseases, including ADHD, schizophrenia, and bipolar disorder, are increasingly prevalent but poorly understood at the molecular level. The complexities of diagnosing and treating these disorders emphasize the need for objective, quantitative data to improve diagnostic accuracy and treatment efficacy. This study aims to explore the genetic underpinnings of neuropsychiatric diseases, contrasting them with well-characterized diseases like breast cancer, and discuss the role of specific genetic mutations and their implications for personalized treatment. The paper delves into the genetic and molecular insights of neuropsychiatric diseases, examining the role of specific genetic mutations and the potential for gene editing technologies like CRISPR. It contrasts the genetic underpinnings of neuropsychiatric diseases with well-characterized diseases like breast cancer, highlighting the potential for a shift towards molecular and genetic-based diagnostics and treatments. The study argues that a shift towards molecular and genetic-based diagnostics and treatments could revolutionize our approach to neuropsychiatric diseases, much like how biomarker tests have transformed breast cancer treatment. It concludes by advocating for a more personalized approach to healthcare, tailored to an individual’s unique genetic makeup, as the future of neuropsychiatric disease diagnosis and treatment.

The emerging role of furin in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases

Furin is an important mammalian proprotein convertase that catalyzes the proteolytic maturation of a variety of prohormones and proproteins in the secretory pathway. In the brain, the substrates of furin include the proproteins of growth factors, receptors and enzymes. Emerging evidence, such as reduced FURIN mRNA expression in the brains of Alzheimer’s disease patients or schizophrenia patients, has implicated a crucial role of furin in the pathophysiology of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases. Currently, compared to cancer and infectious diseases, the aberrant expression of furin and its pharmaceutical potentials in neurological diseases remain poorly understood. In this article, we provide an overview on the physiological roles of furin and its substrates in the brain, summarize the deregulation of furin expression and its effects in neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders, and discuss the implications and current approaches that target furin for therapeutic interventions. This review may expedite future studies to clarify the molecular mechanisms of furin deregulation and involvement in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric diseases, and to develop new diagnosis and treatment strategies for these diseases.

Bibliometric analysis of Wendan decoction research based on the Web of Science database

Objective:With the development of Wendan decoction(WDD)and more literature on the research of WDD,we aimed to present an insight into WDD research using bibliometric analysis.Methods:We retrieved data from the Web of Science database from 2008 to 2022.Publication trends were examined using data from journals,authors,institutions,international collaborations,citations,and keywords from the online analytical platform Bibliometric(http://bibliometric.com).Results:Over the years,an increase in the use of keywords,including depression,insomnia,Alzheimer’s disease,schizophrenia,hippocampus,and insomnia,was observed.The outcomes of the analysis revealed that topics related to WDD have become increasingly prevalent in the last five years,and the internationally recognized application of WDD is mainly neuropsychiatric diseases.Conclusion:We exhibited WDD research progress by identifying and evaluating WDD-focused articles.Our analysis revealed the trend of the topics from 2008 to 2022,which can assist scholars in identifying future trends.

Regulation of neuronal survival by DNA methyltransferases

The limited regenerative capacity of neuronal cells requires tight orchestration of cell death and survival regulation in the context of longevity, age-associated diseases as well as during the development of the nervous system. Subordinate to genetic networks epigenetic mechanisms like DNA methylation and histone modifications are involved in the regulation of neuronal development, function and aging. DNA methylation by DNA methyltransferases （DNMTs）, mostly correlated with gene silencing, is a dynamic and reversible process. In addition to their canonical actions performing cytosine methylation, DNMTs influence gene expression by interactions with histone modifying enzymes or complexes increasing the complexity of epigenetic transcriptional networks. DNMTs are expressed in neuronal progenitors, post-mi- totic as well as adult neurons. In this review, we discuss the role and mode of actions of DNMTs including downstream networks in the regulation of neuronal survival in the developing and aging nervous system and its relevance for associated disorders.

Structure,function,and pathology of Neurexin-3

Neurexin-3 is primarily localized in the presynaptic membrane and forms complexes with various ligands located in the postsynaptic membrane.Neurexin-3 has important roles in synapse development and synapse functions.Neurexin-3 mediates excitatory presynaptic differentiation by interacting with leucine-rich-repeat transmembrane neuronal proteins.Meanwhile,neurexin-3 modulates the expression of presynapticα-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptors andγ-aminobutyric acid A receptors by interacting with neuroligins at excitatory and inhibitory synapses.Numerous studies have documented the potential contribution of neurexin-3 to neurodegenerative and neuropsychiatric disorders,such as Alzheimer's disease,addiction behaviors,and other diseases,which raises hopes that understanding the mechanisms of neurexin-3 may hold the key to developing new strategies for related illnesses.This review comprehensively covers the literature to provide current knowledge of the structure,function,and clinical role of neurexin-3.